Puffers - space for more fish question

J

Jlatala03

Registered Member
Jan 5, 2006
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Hey all. I have a few questions for the experts!

-I have a 29 gallon tank with 3 green spotted puffers (recently purchased) in it. How big will they get and can i put any other brackish fish in there, or will these three be all i can manage?

-Are there any bottom feeders/algae eaters that i can put in there with them? The guy at Petland sold me a Plecostamus (spelling? :confused: ) , but he apparently had no idea what he was talking about as they quickly ate him apart overnight.

-How often should i change the water and do i have to add 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons every time i do so, or only once a month?

Thanks so much!
 
Huh boy.

First, no, you won't be able to keep much else with them. GSP are some of the most aggressive puffers for their size, and you'll likely see fights between the three of them in the 29--I'd take 2 back now to prevent the problem.

No, there won't be any fish that will be able to clean the tank, survive the puffer, and deal with the salinity. Large, powerful filters, lots of manual cleaning, and frequent, regular water changes will be required. Is the tank cycled currently?

You need to do some research into brackish conditions. You should get a hydrometer or refractometer to monitor salinity for each water change, and if the tank is not cycled, you need a test kit and will have to start doing lots of water changes--puffers are not tolerant of ammonia. The salt additions (and we are talking a marine mix here, not something like 'Freshwater Aquarium Salt' or table salt) should be done for the volume of water you're replacing, and you need to monitor water levels and top off with fresh water to counter the effects of evaporation.
 
Newbie here also. I'm currently in the process of cycling my 39 gallon tank for my future GSPs.

I read somewhere plecos might be ok tankmates, is that true? Also, anyone ever kept an eel with GSPs?

thanks for the help!
 
Plecos will not tolerate brackish water for long and GSPs need full marine as they mature. GSPs are best alone unless you have a large tank. Puffers might look cute but they are mean and tough. A 39g is still only big enough for one since they get to around 6 inches.

You might want to look at figure 8 puffers.
 
I have a single GSP that's around $" in a 29g He lives with three black mollies (that were already in the tank when he moved in). They don't bother him he doesn't bother them, in fact if anything he pals around with them. They do a good job of cleaning up, SG 1.015, puffers happy and healthy and the mollies breed like rabbits. Not saying it will work for everyone but it's worked for me.
 
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